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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID#: M-1977-493 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 9-5-03 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />PAGE: 2 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ACS <br />This was a regularly scheduled monitoring inspection of the Climax Mine <br />conducted by the Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG). The focus of this <br />inspection was applied to weeds and weed control measures on the property, <br />condition of reclaimed areas, and operation of Environmental Protection <br />Facilities (EPF). <br />The E-Dump/Highway 91 frontage reclamation was inspected. An acidic seep <br />developed on the west side dump out slope following grading and topsoil <br />placement. The seep is described in the report of the 8-30-99 DMG inspection <br />and is discussed in the report of the 9-26-00 DMG inspection. During both of <br />those previous inspections possible methods for mitigation of the seep had <br />been discussed and it had been agreed that DMG would be consulted prior to <br />implementation of mitigation. In a letter and attachments dated 8-22-01, <br />Climax provided DMG with a design for placement of crushed limestone to <br />capture and neutralize the seepage at the wetted front and to route the <br />seepage to the toe of the slope in a channel or chute. During this <br />inspection, the results of that mitigation were observed to be working well, <br />with the seepage being carried down the slope within the matrix of the rock <br />with no surface flow observed. Vegetation has not yet established on the <br />mitigated area. Vegetation of this area will be tracked by Climax and in <br />future inspections by DMG as will the long-term performance of the new drain. <br />The rest of the reclaimed portions of E-Dump are showing good establishment of <br />grass and no problematic erosion. The trees and shrubs are not yet showing <br />much growth but have an outstanding percentage survival at this point. <br />The Robinson Tailing Impoundment was inspected. The majority of the <br />impoundment has been covered with a layer of waste rock in accordance with the <br />approved reclamation plan. Dry, sandy areas of tailing may be capped with <br />relatively less mechanical difficultly than the wet pond areas composed of <br />tailing slimes. In consideration of these difficulties, the reclamation bond <br />includes money that would be used to stabilize areas of soft tailing using <br />geosynthetics. In 2001 Climax constructed a 2.67-acre geosynthetics test plot <br />on an area of soft tailing at the south end of the impoundment. Three <br />geosynthetics, two geogrids and a geotextile, were installed over tailings and <br />a layer of waste rock was spread over the geosynthetics. From the results of <br />the test plot Climax has concluded that the three geosynthetics products <br />performed equally well and that all three allow for faster stabilization of <br />soft tailing using significantly less waste rock per unit area. Staging of <br />the waste rock onto the geosynthetics is best accomplished using a long <br />working face to allow loaded areas to rest between applied loads, thus <br />minimizing mud wave formation. <br />The areas of the Robinson Tailing Impoundment that have been revegetated using <br />biosolids are showing impressive herbaceous growth. The reclamation of these <br />areas is accomplished by placing a layer of waste rock and incorporation of <br />composted biosolids and agricultural lime followed by broadcast seeding and <br />harrowing. Reclaimed areas that tend to collect water are dominated by tall <br />